Otter suspected in Pilchuck River attack spotted

An otter believed to be the one that attacked an 8-year-old boy and his grandmother was spotted in the Pilchuck River.

Washington Fish and Wildlife Department spokesman Craig Bartlett says it was seen Tuesday with pups in the river. He says agents with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services are trying to trap the otter and pups.

A 4-foot otter bit and scratched Bryce Moser and his grandmother Lelani Grove last Thursday as they swam in the river near Lake Stevens. Both suffered numerous injuries as she rescued him from the water.

Wildlife officials said if the otter was a male it would be killed, but a female with pups would be relocated.

Bartlett says, "We know where they are. Getting into the trap is another issue."